Perspective, Eclipses, and Mythology

As a writer, I'm always thinking in metaphor.

Eclipses are a perfect example of perspective. For example, while people on one side of the world see the event, those who live on another side do not. Therefore the position someone takes dictates that they see. While contemplating this idea, I was reminded of one of my favorite stories. 

In his best selling book, A Hero Of A Thousand Faces, comparative mythologist, Joesph Campbell, tells the story of a trickster god. One day, the ancient being walked through a village. Wearing a cap with four different colors, red, yellow, green, blue, the diety garnered much attention. When he walked through town, the townsfolk saw him from different angles. A spectator on the left side of the street would see red, while the another on the right side would see blue.

The origins of clowns and jesters can be found in the ancient stories of trickster gods.

Later, when the two recollected their accounts of the stranger walking through town, they would get into a disagreement. Each one, having seen things from their own perspective, believed the other was wrong. The argument escalated to the point where they went before a judge to settle the conflict. However, the magistrate found the situation impossible to solve. Both men appeared to be telling the truth. In the end the trickster god, who had been watching the situation unfold, stood up and revealed himself. He explained that that neither villager was wrong, because his cap was multicolored. Each color represented the four "winds," or hemispheres of the earth. When asked why he purposely caused this strife, the trickster god informed the townsfolk that he intended to teach them lesson about life. 

We all see things from the position we've taken in life. Many times this leads us to believe that our view is the only one that is right. However, in order to gain true understanding, we must look at things from different perspectives. Only then can we see the whole picture. 

As modern day polymaths, the only way we can solve big problems is to take the same approach. Just as the townspeople, we must get past our narrowly focused mindsets, and allow ourselves to explore the broader implications. 

REFERENCE:

Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, 3rd printing. Bollingen Series. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1973.

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